Help understanding MCPS math

[Anonymous]

Can someone out there explain the difference between Math 7 (I guess that used to be called Math B) and IM?

Is IM an alternative to math 7 or do kids take math 7, then IM, then Algebra?

If my DC goes from math 6 to IM, will he miss certain things? or is it just that the level of challenge/complexity is greater in IM?

[Anonymous]

IM comes between Math 7 and algebra, but only for kids who take Math 7 before 7th grade. You can also take IM by skipping from Math 6 if your grades are good enough.

Kids who take Math 7 in 7th grade will either have the option of taking Algebra Prep over the summer, and taking Algebra in 8th, or they can take a year long Algebra Prep class in 8th and then Algebra in 9th. Algebra Prep and IM are different classes, but with some overlap in curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PP. So a kid who skips from math 6 to IM when going from elementary to middle school isn't unusual.

I guess I don't see what IM really is for -- to provide some additional challenge to kids who aren't quite developmentally ready for algebra but need more challenge than math 7?

I have a kid going from math 6 in an HGC to middle school. He wants more challenge but I want to make sure it's not too much.

[Anonymous]

IM 7 is not that hard or advanced, and many kids who go from math 6 to math 7 will then skip IM. We saw it more as a holding pen for those who are pretty good, but not ready to really accelerate; if your DS was identified as super capable in math, then the school would recommend jumping further. Especially if your child is in a HGC, no worries. Truly. But even if not, it will not be that tough.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. He's certainly good in math and likes the challenge of logic, etc., but I wouldn't say he's super capable. Sounds like it will be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Following up on this thread b/c I'm curious about what happens to DS in a couple of years.

Currently grade 3, but being told he'll need 6th grade math next year. So, what comes after grade 6 math? This post makes it seem like there are a couple of options. Can someone explain them?

[Anonymous]

The usual path with 2 year acceleration is Math6 (in 4th). Math7 (in 5th) IM (in 6th) Algebra (in7th) and Geometry(in 8th). Geometry in considered a High School level class and the grade will be on the students HS transcript. MCPS is rethinking the 2 year acceleration though as the upper level teachers are finding many kids unprepared after all the skips. There have been earlier posts about ES no longer offering Math7.

[Anonymous]

One thing that a principal said at an open house that stuck with me is that once you are on the accelerated track it is hard to step off as there are no alternatives other than repeating a class (which I don't know how acceptable that is if a DC has passed the class even if w/ poor grades).

Although we realized that being on the accelerated track meant DC would take Calculus in 11th grade, we did not realize that DC would have to KEEP TAKING math. Math is DC's least favorite subject, so we thought that acceleration would be good in that DC could take other things that were of more interest like a second history or language.

It turns out that the MCPS HS requirement is for 4 years of math IN HIGH SCHOOL to graduate, and it seems that one needs to have taken calculus and get special permission to opt out of 4 years of math in HS.

When I asked about opting out in the future, the response was discouraging. There was mumbling about "colleges like to see a rigorous set of classes", etc. Since DC is already on the accelerated track, we are hoping to be able to opt out in HS, but if anyone out there has experience with this, I'd love to hear it.

On the flip side, at our HS if one does like math there is college level math, AP Stats, and a second calc course offered. Plus, kids can take upper level math at the community college or UMD.

BTW, there is an official MCPS brochure that we get at school which shows all the math pathway options from 1-12 grades. I found this very helpful to understand the places where one could accelerate and the following courses. Ask your principal for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing that a principal said at an open house that stuck with me is that once you are on the accelerated track it is hard to step off as there are no alternatives other than repeating a class (which I don't know how acceptable that is if a DC has passed the class even if w/ poor grades).

Although we realized that being on the accelerated track meant DC would take Calculus in 11th grade, we did not realize that DC would have to KEEP TAKING math. Math is DC's least favorite subject, so we thought that acceleration would be good in that DC could take other things that were of more interest like a second history or language.

It turns out that the MCPS HS requirement is for 4 years of math IN HIGH SCHOOL to graduate, and it seems that one needs to have taken calculus and get special permission to opt out of 4 years of math in HS.

When I asked about opting out in the future, the response was discouraging. There was mumbling about "colleges like to see a rigorous set of classes", etc. Since DC is already on the accelerated track, we are hoping to be able to opt out in HS, but if anyone out there has experience with this, I'd love to hear it.

On the flip side, at our HS if one does like math there is college level math, AP Stats, and a second calc course offered. Plus, kids can take upper level math at the community college or UMD.

BTW, there is an official MCPS brochure that we get at school which shows all the math pathway options from 1-12 grades. I found this very helpful to understand the places where one could accelerate and the following courses. Ask your principal for it.

Heard the same thing at our HS, where a lot of the kids are on the accelerated track. It's not just a MC issue but is indeed a college issue. Competitive colleges want 4 years of math in HS, which is different from 4 years of HS math (some of which may have been taken in middle school). To really show 4 years of challenging HS math it means that you basically need to take multivariable calc in 12th grade. AP stat is an option but maybe not quite as compelling. For some kids taking multivariable calc is not necessary in HS.

[Anonymous]

This is a bit of a narrow interpretation. Colleges use 4 years as a yardstick, but if you've topped out of your math requirements, you do other things, like sciences. I saw an article that said the best predictors of acceptance to super-top schools is taking your school's most challenging math and science courses. So if that is where you have set your sights, then that is what you've got to do. but I do think science can substitute. Stats, not so much.

[Anonymous]

This is a bit of a narrow interpretation. Colleges use 4 years as a yardstick, but if you've topped out of your math requirements, you do other things, like sciences. I saw an article that said the best predictors of acceptance to super-top schools is taking your school's most challenging math and science courses. So if that is where you have set your sights, then that is what you've got to do. but I do think science can substitute. Stats, not so much.

[Anonymous]

I am the double-poster - sorry and mea culpa. And my response was directed mainly at 10:34; I agree with 10:43's interpretation. You have to look at the qustion as one of what students need to do to get into the most competitive colleges. I am not saying this is a morally good stance, but it is just what the playing field is, and colleges use to a large degree math and science courses/grade/scores to be able to separate students. If you decide not to do 4 years of math because your child has run out of steam, despite talent, you just want to understand ultimate ramifications, rather than be surprised a bitter about them.